Overhead trolley system



ee i May 16, 1939. R. R. HOLDEN OVERHEAD TROLLEY SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 14, 1936 May 16, 193'9. R. R, HOLDEN 2,158,421

OVERHEAD TROLLEY' SYSTEM Filed'Nov. 14, 1936 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented May 16, 1939 OVERHEAD TROLLEY SYSTEM Richard Royv Holden, deceased, late of Highland Park, Ill., by Bertha, Belle Holden, executrix, Highland Park, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to R. Roy Holden, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application November 14, 1936, Serial No. 110,812

11 Claims. (Cl. 191-38) The present invention relates to an automatically operated selective trolley switch of a type particularly applicable for use with trolleywire systems in which a positive wire and a negative or grounded wire are used.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an automatic switch which will direct the current-collecting members attached to the trolley poles of a trolley bus or other vehicle so that the trolley poles and the thereto attached current-collecting members will automatically, and without any attention on the part of the operator of the vehicle, follow the vehicle along a main line or into a branch line at an angle thereto.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the relative position of the current-collecting members, such as trolley shoes or wheels, carried by a vehicle, thereby selectively to predetermine the position that is to be assumed by the individual switching means coupled with additional means for locking them in the preselected position so that they will not subsequently be disturbed until after the current-collecting shoes or wheels have traversed the entire switch and have cleared the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic switching means for predetermining the position that is to be assumed by switching tongues contained in a pair of automatic switches, intended to direct the current-collecting members, attached to the vehicle by means of trolley pol-es, in the desired direction.

Other objects will appear from a detailed description and from the drawings.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the mechanically operated automatic switch of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detailed view of the preselecting member which serves to set the switch for itsk subsequent actuation;

Fig. 3 is a further detailed view in elevation of the tongue switching means contained in the switch proper;

Fig. 4 is a perspective fragmentary view of the actual switch-controlling means employ-ed;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section along the line 6--6 of Fig, 4; and

Fig 'l is a section along the line 'l-'l of Fig. 4 and shows the interior construction of a slotted disk which is employed as a guide member for the switching means'to place it into the preselected position.

These figures will hereinafter be discussed in individual detail in connection with the description of the switching'mechanism and its mode of 5 operation.

In the operation of trackless trolleys or trolley buses, it is customary to employl two overhead suspended wires of opposite polarity.

This, therefore, differs from the ordinary trolley car system in which the rails, properly bonded, are depended upon for completing the circuit. In trolley car systems, only a single conducting wire is necessary, this usually being, arranged directly over the center of the railway. In such systems it has also been customary to employ as a current-collecting member a trolley wheel or shoe supported on a rigid harp which is attached to the free end' of a trolley pole, which latteris attached to the top of a car in the wellknown manner. Such xed harps could be employed on trolley cars, as the latter run over a definite route determined by the tracks. On the other hand, a trolley bus follows no fixed path, but may be guided where desired by the operator within a certain distance to each side of the trolley wires.

It therefore was found necessary in this art in the case of trolley lbuses to employ current collectors which contact the under side of the wire and which are carried by harps that are freely connected in swivelV fashion to the trolley poles themselves. These poles also are preferably much longer thanis thecase with ordinary trolley cars that run on rails, being generally about 18feet in 35 length. They are attached to the top of the trolley bus aty points which are usually about two feet apart, as the wires. also are usually two feet apart.

Thus, trolley buses may be constructed with a base on the top thereof on which two trolley poles are mounted to swing about two xed transversely aligned points which are generally about two feet apart. With this arrangement the trolley 45 poles may be swung about their fixed points, and the shoes will stay in contact with and slide along their respective wires even when the bus is off to one side of the wires. Hence, when the bus is moving parallel to the wires the poles will 50 remain parallel, being the same distance apart at their bases as at their points of contact with the wires. If the bus, however, is at an angle to the wires,-that is to say, if it is moving toward or away from the vertical planes in which the wires vonly to himself and his vehicle but also to those lie,-it will readily be understood that the outside pole relative to the curve which the vehicle is describing will be in advance of the other along a line that is at right angles to the wiresI themselves.

Prior to the present invention, trolley bus systems with switches therein have been employed which, when a trolley bus was passing thereunder, required a certain amount of attention and action on the part oi the bus driver, particularly when passing through the switches. In one type of such switches, the movable switching member is electrically thrown in accordance with whether or not the operator of the bus has the motor of the vehicle either on o-r off as he passes a certain point, depending upon whether he wishes to turn or go straight ahead. In accordance with my present invention, however, it is not necessary for the driver of the vehicle in any way to pay attention to the over head ilttings, but he may direct his entire attention to the steering of the bus through traiiic, and if he makes a turn in the same manner as other vehicles may be turning, he can be assured that the current collectors will be switched to the branch line and will hence properly trail the vehicle so as to keep its power supply unimpaired. It will readily be appreciated that this presents a very great advantage.

In the prior art in which poles having rigid harps were employed, automatic switches were known in which the side pressure of the rim of the wheel would actuate the switches so that in making a turn the pole would take the branchline in preference to the straight-way current conductor. In the case of swivel harps, such as are necessary in trolley bus operation, it would be obvious that the side pull upon the current collectors could not be depended upon to throw switches, because this side pull is applied every time the vehicle passes to the right or left of the current conducting wires, as it must do when weaving its way through tramo, and particularly when running to the edge of the sidewalk to Apick up or discharge passengers. The problem lin connection with trolley buses, therefore, is

totally dierent from the problems which confront operators of vehicles `which run on rails.

In such of the prior art switching means in which the position of the switch was determined by the driver, he naturally had to be very careful as to when he had his power on or off when approaching a turnout or curve, or at any other point where he desired to change the position of the switch in accordance with the way he wanted to go. In heavy city traffic, where pedestrians are continually crossing in front of vehicles at intersections, anything which will divert the drivers attentionV from his jb of preventing collisions is highly dangerous, not

who are crossing the street. It will therefore be obvious that any invention that will automatically take care of the switching of the current- -collecting members of a trolley bus greatly contributes to the safety of operation of such vehcles.

The fundamental principles underlying the present invention are broadly disclosed in appli- .cants copending application Serial No. 733,708, led July 5, 1934, and entitled Overhead trolley system.

The principle upon which the present invention is based is equally applicable to a mechani- I cally or an electrically operated device. In each case, advantage is taken of the fact that the position of the current collectors at the end of the trolley poles of a trolley bus, when it is proceeding in a direction substantially parallel to the suspended current-conducting wires, is such that the two current collectors lare substantially opposite each other along a line drawn at right angles to the wires, this being true even though the bus is at a considerable distance to one side of the wires. However, when the bus assumes a position which is not parallel to the conducting Wires, as, for example, when turning a corner, one of the current collectors will be in advance of the other, and their relative longitudinal position will be altered. As the bus turns, the pole which is on the far side of the turn,-for example, the left-hand side of the bus when the bus is describing a right-hand turn,-will immediately assume a position which, relative to a line drawn at right angles across the wires, will be in advance of the other pole. Therefore it will be possible, by suitable devices about to be described, to secure a differential effect which is brought about by contact of the current-collecting members with various instrumentalities mounted on or adjacent the wires, these instrumentalities being operated in one sense when they are contacted substantially simultaneously on both of the wires and operated in a diierent sense when the contact takes place successively on one wire relative to the other.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a pair of switches I and 2, and associated mechanism in conjunction with a positive currentconducting wire I5 and a negative current-conducting wire I5. The positive and negative wires could be reversed without affecting the operation of the system. Each switch comprises a base portion, a main runner A, a pair of branch runners B and C, and a movable tongue D which may be positioned so as to connect the main runner A with either branch runner B or C. When main runner A is connected by tongue D with branch runner C, the current collectors passing thereunder will be directed straight through the switch, while if the tongue D connects main runner A and branch runner B, the current collectors will be switched from the main to the branch line.

Presetting or controlling mechanism is positioned adjacent one of the switches and may be formed as a part thereof, this being largely to assist in supporting and maintaining the same in proper position. If the branch runners go to the left, the control mechanism is mounted in conjunction with the left-hand switch of a pair as illustrated. The switches and control mechanism are actuated by contact of the current collectors therewith, in accordance with the relative longitudinal position of the current-collecting members when passing thereunder. Thus, if the trolley bus turns, the current collectors automatically pass to the branch runners and line, while if the bus continues under the main line the current collectors pass straight through the switches.

The switch having the control means associated therewith is provided with dead-end approaches |00 at the ends of the branch runners and also at the outer end of the control mechanism, to which the wires are attached by bolts IUI. The control mechanism, as shown in the drawings, is in effect a continuation of the main runner A. `Deadend approaches |00 are also attached to the ends of the main runner A and branch runners B and C' of the lother switch and the negative trolley wires are attached thereto by bolts Thro-ughout the specication the switch with the control mechanism associated therewith will be described and duplicate elements in the other switch will be marked with the primes of the same numbers.

Referring for the moment to the switch and control mechanism associated therewith shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. 2, it will be seen that there is provided a lifting member |02 which is moved upwardly upon contact of a current collector therewith, due to theV upward thrust of the usual springs on the trolley poles carrying the current collectors. This member is pivotally supported by bell-cranks |03 which are identical in structure. These bell-cranks are mounted on pivots |04, there being also a pivotal connection to the lifting member itself by means of pivots |05. At the opposite end of the bell-cranks |03 there is a pivotal connectionby means of pivots |06 with a control bar I0?. This bar |0'|, due to the weight of the member |02, tends to move in a direction to the right or toward the switch proper. This action is supplemented by a spring |08 (see Fig. l), attached to a stud |08a. In order that the lifting member |02 may be alive, and hence capable of conducting current to the currentcollecting member of the trolley pole, a flexible conducting wire |09 is attached thereto by a screw ||0 to the extension E' of the main runner A. Upwardly projecting members I2 on the lifting member |02 pass through suitable openings ||3 in the main structure of the device, being -connected to the pivots |05 as may clearly be seen in Fig. 2. There are also provided wooden or other non-conducting strains H4, H5, and |I6 to keep the two switch mechanisms properly spaced from each other.

The control arm |07 is turned at an angle of 90 near its opposite or right end, as may best be seen from Figs. 3 and 4, the purpose of this being to enable it to be connected to a bell-crank ||1 which is pivoted by means of a pivot |-8 upon a post H9. The bell-crank is bifurcated at end |20, the resultant fork-like projection engaging a pin |2|, which in turn is connected to a slotted switching disk |22. This disk may be seen in Fig. 3 as a side view and in Fig. 7 as an end view, the latter showing it in two diierent positions. The control disk |22 is mounted in a housing |23 which fits about the periphery and rear edges of the disk, being provided with a central opening in the rear side. Mounted over the front of the disk is a plate |24 having a V-shaped upper edg-e, the apex of which is slightly below the center of the disk. As thus constructed, the disk may be rotated in the housing.

A slot |25 is provided in the disk, one end of which normally coincides with the edge of plate |24 which slopes upwardly and to the right, as shown in full lines in Fig. '7. When the disk is rotated in a clockwise direction, the other end of the slot coincides with the edge of plate |24,

-v sloping upwardly and to the left, this position being shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7.

Engaging slot |25 in the control Vdisk |22 and guided thereby is a pin |26. This pin |20, upon being urged upwardly, may ride upon the upper edges of plate |24 either upwardly and to the left or upwardly and to the right, depending upon the position of the control disk |22 and the slot |25 therein. Secured to the rear side of disk |22 adjacent the periphery thereof is an arm |21.

,Thus as the disk is rotated in opposite directions, the arm oscillates. There are two ofV these control disks, one on each of the switches, as can best be seen from Fig. l, the two disks being connected with each other by means of a suitably insulated transverse bar |21 pivotally connected to the arms |21. This insures that each disk |22 in a pair of switches will be similarly positioned at all times, as movement of one causes a corresponding movement in the other. As illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and 6, a downwardly depending arm |28 is rigidly connected to pin |26. To the lower end of this arm |28 is attached the end |29 of tongue D (Fig. 3) which acts as a guide for the current-collecting member of the trolley pole, directing it either to the main wire m or to the branch wire b, depending upon its position.

Referring for the moment to Figs. l and 3, it will be seen that each switch is provided with two entirely similar lifting and switching members comprising the tongue D, which is supported so as to be capable of being vertically lifted by two bell-cranks |30 and |3| in a manner entirely similar to the way in which the lifting member |02 of Fig. 2 is shown as being supported. The bell-cranks are pivotally mounted on the switches and are provided with pivots at each end. A connecting rod |32 connects the upper ends of the bell-cranks |30 and lili. Upwardly projecting members |33, provided on the movable runners D, are pivotally connected to the opposite end of the bell-cranks by pins i3d and |35. Pin |35 is suiiiciently loose in the upwardly projecting member |33 to permit the latter to slide therealong as the end |29 of movable runner D is moved upwardly and to the right or left to a position adjacent either of the branch runners B or C. Sufficient play is also provided in pivotal connection |313 to permit this movementl of tongue D. When the current-collecting members of the bus are not in contact with the tongue D, the end |29 thereof will be in alignment neither with the main nor the branch line, but will assume a neutral position below and between the latter, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7.

As the two bell-cranks |30 and |3| are connected with each other by means of the transverse bar |32, when a current-collecting member comes into contact with the movable tongue D the entire tongue will be lifted so that the bar |21", connected to the tongue D, will cause the end |29 thereof to be moved either to the right or to the left depen-ding upon the position of the slot |25 ofthe control disk |22. In order that the movable tongue D or D may be alive, ther-e is provided a conducting wire |38, this being similar to conducting wire |00 in purpose and method of attachment.

With the construction described, the bar lil? due to the spring |08 and the weight of the lifting member |02, will be moved to the right as shown in Fig. 1. This, through the action of bell-crank and pin |2|, will cause the disks |22 and |22' to be in the position of Fig. 'Z with the slot |25 running diagonally from lower left to upper right. If the movable runners D and D are moved upwardly when the disks are in this position they will connect the main runners with the branch runners C and C', and the current collectors will go straight through the pair of switches. When lifting member |02 is raised and connecting member |07 is moved to the left. this causes the disks |22 and |22 to be rotated in a clockwise manner and the slots |25 assume the dotted position of Fig. 7 with the slot running from lower right to upper left. In this position of the disks, the movable runners D and D', if moved upwardly, will connect the main runners with branch runners B and B', thereby guiding the current-collecting members to the branch lines b and b.

As will now be pointed out, the whole arrangement is automatically operated. Assuming first that a trolley bus moving in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1 is to go straight through the switch, the pair of current-collecting members carried thereby Will be nearly aligned in a plane at right angles to the wires l and I5. As the current collectors advance, the left one will raise lifting member |02 which, as previously described, will set the disks to direct the movable runners D to curve position. However, this current collector will pass beyond lifting member |02, and the switch will return to normal straight-through position before either movable tongue is raised by the current collectors. Then when the current collectors raise the movable tongues, they will connect the main runners with the branch runners C and C and the current collectors will pass straight through the switches.

However, if the bus is to turn, the outer current collector, which would be the one on the right for a left-hand turn, would be in advance of the other as they approach the switches. In this case the left-hand current collector would raise lifting member |02 and before it passed beyond this lifting member the other current collector would raise movable tongue D' which, due to the position of the slots in the disks |22',

would move to curve position connecting the main runner A with branch runner B. As the disks are connected by rod |21', the other disk |22 would also be moved to curve position so that, as the left-hand current collector would engage movable runner D before the right-hand current collector had left movable runner D', it would also be switched to branch wire b. Thus the relative longitudinal position of the current collectors actuates the switches to direct the current collectors along the desired wires over the path of the bus.

By altering the length of the lifting member |02 and the movable tongues and by changing the distance between lifting member |02 and movable tongue D the operation of the switch may be controlled. As the distance between lifting member |02 and tongue D is increased, the bus may turn to a greater extent without throwing the switches to curve position. Increasing the length of the lifting member |02 and movable tongues would be desirable where the bus is to make a sharper turn as the current collectors would then be a greater longitudinal distance apart.

It will thus be seen that there is here provided a mechanical means for directing the tongues with which the current-collecting members contact to either of two positions, depending upon whether the trolley poles are substantially opposite each other on the two wires and the switch or whether one current-collecting member is a substantial distance in advance of the other.

While a single embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made therein without departing from the scope thereof.

What is broadly sought to be covered herein is a pair of switches which are automatically actuated by contact of the current collectors carried by a vehicle so that the current collectors automatically follow the trolley wires under which the vehicle travels.

The broad idea of having a pair of automatically acting switches has been described and claimed in applicants copending application Serial No. 733,708, the present invention being directed to the variations thereof shown in the present application.

It is claimed:

1. A double conductor trolley system for a vehicle provided with a pair of current collectors, comprising two main conductors, a branch conductor for each said main conductor and a pair of switches at the intersections of said main and branch conductors, each of said switches having a movable tongue, and means for guiding said tongue into position to direct its respective current collector along said main conductor or from said main to said branch conductor upon contact of a current collecting member with said tongue, a contact device operatively connected with said guide means for controlling the same, arranged to be engaged by one of said current collectors before the latter contacts its movable switch tongue, said switches and contact device being so constructed, arranged and connected with respect to each other and to the trolley wires that the movable tongues will be moved to one position only when one of the current collectors engages the movable tongue of one of said switches while the other current collecting member is in contact with the contact device adjacent the other switch.

2. A double conductor trolley system for a vehicle provided with a pair of current collectors, comprising two main conductors, a branch conductor for each said main conductor and a pair of switches at the intersections of said main and branch conductors, each of said switches having a movable tongue, and means for guiding said tongue into position to direct its respective current collector along said main conductor or from said main to said branch conductor upon contact of a current collecting member with said tongue, a contact device operatively connected with said guide means for controlling the same, arranged to be engaged by one of said current collectors before the latter contacts its movable switch tongue, said switches and contact device being so constructed, arranged and connected with respect to each other and to the trolley wires that the movable tongues will be moved to one position only when one of said current collectors has not engaged the movable tongue of one of said switches while the other current collector is in contact with said contact device.

3. A double conductor trolley system for a vehicle provided with a pair of current collectors, comprising two main conductors, a branch conductor for each main conductor and a pair of switches at the intersections of said main and branch conductors, each of said switches having a movable tongue, and a movable member cooperating with said tongue for guiding said tongue into position to direct its current collector along said main conductor or from said main to said branch conductor upon contact of a current collecting member with said movable tongue, means for controlling the position of the movable member of one of said switches including a contact device positioned adjacent said switch arranged to be engaged by its respective current collector before the latter engages its movable tongue, and means for causing a similar positioning of the movable member of the other switch of said pair, said switches and contact device being so constructed, arranged and connected with respect to each other and to the trolley wires that the movable tongues will be moved to one position only when the current collectors of the vehicle are in a predetermined position longitudinally of the main conductors relative to one another as the collectors pass said contact device and switches, said longitudinal position of the current collectors varying with the angularity of the vehicle with respect to said main conductors.

4. A double conductor trolley system for a vehicle provided with a pair of current collectors, comprising two main conductors, a branch conductor for each main conductor and a pair of switches at the intersections of said main and branch conductors, and each of said switches having a movable tongue, a slotted oscillatable member cooperating with said tongue for guiding said tongue into position to direct its current collector along said main conductor or from said main to said branch conductor upon contact of a current collecting member with said movable tongue, means for controlling the position of the movable member of one of said switches including a contact device positioned adjacent said switch arranged to be engaged by its respective current collector before the latter engages its movable tongue, and means for causing a similar positioning of the movable member of the other switch of said pair, said switches and contact device being so constructed, arranged and connected with respect to each other and to the trolley wires that the movable tongues will be moved to one position only when the current collectors of the vehicle are in a predetermined position longitudinally of the main conductor relative to one another as the collectors pass said contact device, and switches, said longitudinal position of the current collectors varying with the angularity of the vehicle with respect to said main conductors.

5. A double conductor trolley system for a vehicle provided with a pair of current collectors, comprising two main conductors, a branch conductor for each main conductor and a pair of switches at the intersections of said main and branch conductors, each switch comprising a main runner, branch runners and a movable switching tongue having a portion projecting therefrom adjacent the branch runner end, said tongue normally being in a neutral position below and intermediate said branch runners and adapted to be moved into substantial alignment with one or the other of said branch runners when engaged by a, current collector, a bearing member having a V-shaped upper bearing surface on which said projecting portion rides when said tongue is moved to operative position between said main and either branch runner, a rotatable disc having a radially extending slot for engaging said projecting portion positioned adjacent said bearing member for controlling the movement of said tongue with respect to said bearing surface, means associated with one of said switches to rotate said disc and means for causing the slotted discs of said switches to be similarly rotated.

6. A double conductor trolley system for a vehicle provided with a pair of current collectors, comprising two main conductors, a branch conductor for each main conductor and ay pair of switches at the intersections of said main and branch conductors, each switch comprising a main runner, branch runners and a movable switching tongue having a portion projecting therefrom adjacent the branch runner end, said tongue normally being in a neutral position below and intermediate said branch runners and adapted to be moved into substantial alignment with one or the other of said branch runners when engaged by a current collector, a bearing member having a V-shaped upper bearing surface on which said projecting portion rides when said tongue is moved to operative position between said main and either branch runner, a rotatable disc having a radially extending slot for engaging said projecting portion positioned adjacent said bearing member for controlling the movement of said tongue with respect to said bearing surface, means associated with one of said switches to rotate said discl including a contact device positioned adjacent one of said switches in the path of its respective current collector, and means for causing the slotted discs of said switches to be similarly rotated.

7. A double conductor trolley system for a vehicle provided with a pair of current collectors, comprising two main conductors, a branch conductor for each main conductor and a pair of switches at the intersectionsof said main and branch conductors, each of said switches having a movable tongue, and a movable member cooperating with said tongue for guiding said tongue into position to direct its current collector along said main conductor or from said main to said branch conductor upon contact of a current collecting member with said movable tongue, means for controlling the position of the movable member of one of said switches including a contact device positioned adjacent said switch arranged to be engaged by its respective current collector before the latter engages its movable tongue, means for causing a similar positioning of the movable member of the other switch of said pair, said switches and contact device being so constructed, arranged and connected with respect to each other and to the trolley wires that the movable tongues will be moved to one position only when the current collectors of the vehicle are in a predetermined position longitudinally of the main conductors relative to one another as the collectors pass said contact device and switches, and means under control of the vehicle operator for causing said current collectors to assume said predetermined position.

8. A double conductor trolley system for a vehicle provided with a pair of current collectors, comprising two main conductors, a branch conductor for each main conductor and a pair of switches at the intersections of said main and branch conductors, each switch comprising a main runner, branch runners and a movable switching tongue having a portion projecting therefrom adjacent the branch runner end, said tongue normally being in a neutral position below and intermediate said branch runners and adapted to be moved into substantial alignment with one or the other of said branch runners when engaged by a current collector, a bearing member having an upper bearing surface on which said projecting portion rides when said tongue' is moved to operative position between said main and either branch runner, a movable member having a slot therein for engaging said projecting portion positioned adjacent said bearing member for controlling the movement of said tongue with respect to said bearing surface, means associated with one of said switches to move said slotted member, and means for causing the slotted members of said switches to be similarly positioned.

9. A double conductor trolley system for a vehicle provided with a pair of current collectors, comprising two main conductors, a branch conductor for each main conductor and a pair of switches at the intersections of said main and branch conductors, each switch comprising a main runner, branch runners and a movable switching tongue having a portion projecting therefrom adjacent the branch runner end, said tongue normally being in a, neutral position below and intermediate said branch runners and adapted to be moved into substantial alignment with one or the other of said branch runners when engaged by a current collector, a bearing member having a V-shaped upper bearing surface on which said projecting portion rides when said tongue is moved to operative position between said main and either branch runner, a movable member having a slot therein for engaging said projecting portion positioned adja- `cent said bearing member for controlling the movement of said tongue with respect to said bearing surface, means associated With one of said switches to move said slotted member, and means for causing the slotted members of said switches to be similarly positioned.

10. A pair of switches for use at the intersections of main and branch conductors in a double conductor trolley system, each of said switches comprising a main runner, branch runners and a movable switching tongue having a portion projecting therefrom adjacent the branch runner end, said tongue normally being in a, neutral position below and intermediate said branch runners and adapted to be moved into substantial alignment with one or the other of said branch runners when engaged by a current collector, a movable member having a slot therein in which said projecting portion rides, said movable member when in one position acting to guide said tongue upon movement thereof into substantial alignment with one of said branch runners, and when in another position acting to guide said tongue into substantial alignment with said other branch runner, and means for similarly positioning the slotted movable members of a pair of switches.

11. A pair of switches for use at the intersections of main and branch conductors in a double conductor trolley system, each of said switches comprising a main runner, branch runners and a movable switching tongue having a portion projecting therefrom adjacent the branch runner end, said tongue normally being in a neutral position below and intermediate said branch runners and adapted to be moved into substantial alignment with one or the other of said branch runners when engaged by a current collector, a rotatable disc having a slot therein in which said projecting portion rides, said disc when in one position acting to guide said tongue upon movement thereof into substantial alignment with one of said branch runners, and when in another position acting to guide said tongue into substantial alignment with said other branch runner, means associated with one of said switches to move said slotted member, and means for causing the slotted members of said switches to be similarly positioned.

BERTI-IA BELLE HOLDEN, Executrizr of the Estate of Richard Roy Holden,

Deceased. 

